Contact architecture for capacitance reduction and satisfactory contact resistance

ABSTRACT

Solid assemblies having a composite dielectric spacer and processes for fabricating the solid assemblies are provided. The composite dielectric spacer can include, in some embodiments, a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer having a mutual interface. The composite dielectric spacer can separate a contact member from a conductive interconnect member, thus reducing the capacitance between such members with respect to solid assemblies that include one of first dielectric layer or the second dielectric layer. The composite dielectric spacer can permit maintaining the real estate of an interface between the conductive interconnect and a trench contact member that has an interface with a carrier-doped epitaxial layer embodying or constituting a source contact region or a drain contact region of a field effect transistor. The trench contact member can form another interface with the conductive interconnect member, providing a satisfactory contact resistance therebetween.

BACKGROUND

Miniaturized solid-state transistors leverage low contact resistance to output high on-current. However, as miniaturization continues, and transistor dimensions are further reduced, capacitance between contact via and gate metal increases. Such capacitance is undesirable and detrimental to the operation of a transistor. As such, much remains to be improved in the reduction of parasitic capacitance in miniaturized solid-state transistors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are an integral part of the disclosure and are incorporated into the subject specification. The drawings illustrate example embodiments of the disclosure and, in conjunction with the description and claims, serve to explain at least in part various principles, features, or aspects of the disclosure. Certain embodiments of the disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, various aspects of the disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein. Like numbers refer to like, but not necessarily the same or identical, elements throughout.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example of a semiconductor device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2I illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of examples of structures representative of respective stages of an example process for fabricating a semiconductor device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example a solid structure in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 2A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2C illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 2B, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2D illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 2C, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2E illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 2D, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2F illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 2E, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2G illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 2F, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2H illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 2I, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 2I illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the semiconductor device formed according to the example process, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate schematic cross-sectional views representative of stages of an example of a process for forming a doped epitaxial layer in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a solid structure including a recess that can be leveraged to form the doped epitaxial layer, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 3B illustrates an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 3A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate schematic cross-sectional views representative of stages of an example of another process for forming a doped epitaxial layer in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a solid structure including carrier-doped regions, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 4B illustrates an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 4A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate schematic cross-sectional views representative of stages of an example of another process for forming a conductive interconnect member and doped epitaxial layer, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 5A illustrates an example of a solid structure including carrier-doped regions and conductive interconnect members, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5B illustrates an example of another solid structure resulting from treating the solid structure shown in FIG. 5A, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of method for fabricating a solid assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The solid assembly can constitute a semiconductor device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a system that utilizes solid-state devices in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure recognizes and addresses, in at least some embodiments, the issue of parasitic capacitance in highly miniaturized (scaled-down) solid state transistors. Such transistors can rely on low contact resistance to provide high on-current, which can be achieved by forming, for example, a deep trench contact having a large contact area with a contact via, which can provide a desirable contact resistance. As the transistor dimensions are scaled down, the formation of trench contacts can yield parasitic capacitances between the via contact and a gate contact. Embodiments of the disclosure can provide solid assemblies having a composite dielectric spacer separating a contact member from a conductive interconnect. Other embodiments can provide processes for fabricating the solid assemblies. In some embodiments, a solid assembly can constitute or can include a field effect transistor having carrier-doped epitaxial layers forming, respectively, a source contact and a drain contact, where the carrier-doped epitaxial layers are embedded in a semiconductor substrate. In one example, the solid assemblies in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure can constitute or can include a planar field effect transistor (FET). In another example, the solid assemblies in accordance with embodiments of this disclosure can constitute or can include a non-planar FET. In some embodiments, the carrier-doped epitaxial layers can form an interface with respective trench contact members. The trench contact members form interfaces with respective conductive interconnects extending from the interface along a stacking direction, where the interfaces can provide a desirable contact resistance. A first conductive interconnect forms an interface with a first dielectric layer extending, along the stacking direction, from the interface between the first conductive interconnect and a first trench contact member. The first dielectric layer forms an interface with a second dielectric layer, along the stacking direction. The second dielectric layer is adjacent to the first dielectric layer and also forms an interface with a contact member, along the stacking direction. The contact member also can form another interface with a dielectric layer formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate. Thus, the dielectric layer can extend from the surface of the semiconductor substrate along the stacking direction, spanning a defined thickness. In addition, the contact member can extend from the interface between the contact member and the dielectric layer, along the stacking direction. In some embodiments, the contact member and the dielectric layer can serve, respectively, as a gate contact and a gate dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer and the second dielectric layer form a composite dielectric spacer that can contain the capacitance between the conductive interconnect and the gate contact to a satisfactory magnitude, while maintaining the desirable contact resistance.

In at least some embodiments, reductions of about 3%/nm to about 6%/nm in parasitic capacitance can be achieved for each nanometer of the second dielectric layer for at least the first few nanometers (e.g., from about 1 nm to about 5 nm).

While some embodiments of the solid assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure are illustrated in connection with planar field effect transistors (FETs), the disclosure is not so limited and, in some embodiments, the solid assemblies in accordance with this disclosure can constitute or can include a non-planar FET, including multi-gate FETs, such as a fin field effect transistor (FinFET), tri-gate FET, dual-gate FET. In some embodiments, the non-planar FET can include contact members (e.g., a source contact member and/or a drain contact member) embodied in a nanowire (e.g., a solid structure elongated along a first direction and having an extent confined to a few nanometers (e.g., about 1 nm to about 10 nm) in other directions substantially perpendicular to first direction.

Embodiments of this disclosure can provide several advantages over conventional designs and fabrication of solid assemblies that include field effect transistors or other types of semiconductor devices in integrated circuitry. In one example, rather than either lowering parasitic capacitances or achieving desirable contact resistances, embodiments of the disclosure can permit or otherwise facilitate lowering a parasitic capacitance between a gate contact and a conductive interconnect in contact with a source region or a drain region and concurrently maintaining a satisfactory contact resistance, and thus, such embodiments can permit mitigating or avoiding performance degradation for on-state resistance.

With reference to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a semiconductor device 100 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The semiconductor device 100 can embody or can include a transistor. Specifically, as illustrated, the semiconductor device 100 can include a semiconductor substrate 110 having a first surface 114 and a second surface opposite to the first surface 114. The semiconductor substrate 110 can be formed from or can include, for example, an intrinsic semiconductor (e.g., Si, Ge), a doped semiconductor (e.g., p-type Si, n-type Si, p-type Ge, n-type Ge, and the like) or a semiconductor compound (e.g., a III-V semiconductor, a II-VI semiconductor, or a Si—Ge alloy). In some embodiments the semiconductor substrate 110 can be crystalline and oriented along a defined crystallographic direction, such as [001] or [311], defining a stacking direction z. A group of contact members, including contact member 130 a, contact member 130 b, and contact member 130 c, can be placed on the semiconductor substrate 110. At least one contact member in the group of contact members can serve, in some embodiments, as a gate contact in a transistor included in the semiconductor device 100. In one example, the contact member 130 b can embody such a gate contact. In addition, the semiconductor device 100 can include a group of first dielectric layers, including dielectric layer 125 a, dielectric layer 125 b, and dielectric layer 125 c. Each (or, in some embodiments, at least one) dielectric layer in the group of first dielectric layers can be formed from, or can include, a dielectric material. In some embodiments, such a dielectric material can include a silicon oxide or another high-K material; a combination of the foregoing; or the like. High-K dielectric materials can include, for example, alumina; silicon monoxide (SiO, K of about 5.0); silicon dioxide (SiO₂, K of about 3.9); titanium dioxide; silicon nitride (SiO₃N₄, K of about 6); boron nitride (BN, K of about 4.5); alkali halides (such as rubidium bromide (RbBr, K of about 4.7), lithium fluoride (LiF, K of about 9.2), barium titanate (BaTiO₃, K varies from about 130 to about 1000), lead titanate (PbTiO₃, K ranges between about 200 to about 400); and metal oxides (e.g., hafnium dioxide (HfO₂, K of about 40), tantalum oxide (TaO₅ K of about 27), tungsten oxide (WO₃, K of about 42) and zirconium dioxide (ZrO₂, K of about 24.7). Other high-K materials can include, for example, La₂O₃, SrTiO₃, LaAlO₃, Y₂O₃, Al₂O_(x)N_(y), HfO_(x)N_(y), ZrO_(x)N_(y), La₂O_(x)N_(y), TiO_(x)N_(y), SrTiO_(x)N_(y), LaAlO_(x)N_(y), Y₂O_(x)N_(y), SiON, SiN, a silicate thereof, or an alloy thereof. At least one dielectric layer in the group of first dielectric layers can serve, in some embodiments, as a gate dielectric. In some embodiments, each of the group of first dielectric layers can be in contact or otherwise form an interface with a respective one of the group of contact members.

Each of the contact members 130 a-130 c can form an interface with, or otherwise can abut, a respective portion of the second surface opposite to the first surface 114, and can extend from the interface to an end surface, along the z-direction. As such, each of the contact members 130 a-130 b can have a first side surface and a second side surface opposite to the first side surface. Each of the first side surface and the second side surface can be perpendicular to the second surface opposite to the first surface 114.

The semiconductor device 100 can include a group of second dielectric layers, each having a defined thickness t (a real number in units of length) and formed from a dielectric material of a first type. In some embodiments, such a dielectric material can include a silicon oxide or another high-K material; a combination of the foregoing; or the like. High-K dielectric materials can include, for example, alumina; SiO; SiO₂; titanium dioxide; SiO₃N₄; BN; alkali halides (such as RbBr, LiF, BaTiO₃, PbTiO₃; and metal oxides (e.g., HfO₂, TaO₅, WO₃,and ZrO₂. Other high-K materials can include, for example, La₂O₃, SrTiO₃, LaAlO₃, Y₂O₃, Al₂O_(x)N_(y), HfO_(x)N_(y), ZrO_(x)N_(y), La₂O_(x)N_(y), TiO_(x)N_(y), SrTiO_(x)N_(y), LaAlO_(x)N_(y), Y₂O_(x)N_(y), SiON, SiN, a silicate thereof, or an alloy thereof.

The defined thickness t can range from about one atomic monolayer (ML) to several MLs—e.g., a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10 nm, depending on the dielectric material that forms the dielectric layers in the group of second dielectric layers. Each (or, in some embodiments, at least one) of the group of second dielectric layers can be in contact with or otherwise can abut a contact member of the group of contact members. As illustrated, the group of second dielectric layers includes dielectric layer 120 a, dielectric layer 120 b, dielectric layer 120 c, dielectric layer 120 d, dielectric layer 120 e, and dielectric spacer layer 120 f In one example, the dielectric layer 120 b can be in contact with the contact member 130 a, and the dielectric layer 120 c can be in contact with the contact member 130 b. More specifically, a side surface of the dielectric layer 120 b can be in contact with a side surface of the contact member 130 a, and a side surface of the dielectric layer 120 c can be in contact with a side surface of the contact member 130 b.

In addition, the semiconductor device 100 can include a group of third dielectric layers, each having a defined thickness t′ (a real number in units of length) and formed from a dielectric material of a second type different from the first type of dielectric material that forms the dielectric layer in the group of second dielectric layers. In some embodiments, such a dielectric material can include silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, or other types of low-k dielectrics, such as diamond like carbon (DLC); fluorinated DLC; parylene-N; parylene-F; a carbon doped oxide; a fluorine doped oxide; carbon doped silicon nitride; an organo silicate glass; a halogen doped nitride; or the like. In other embodiments, a dielectric layer of the group of third dielectric layers can be embodied in or can include an air gap.

The defined thickness t′ can range from about one atomic monolayer (ML) to several MLs—e.g., a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10 nm, depending on the dielectric material that forms the third dielectric layers. Each (or, in some embodiments, at least one) of the group of third dielectric layers can be in contact with or otherwise can abut a dielectric layer of the group of second dielectric layers. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the group of third dielectric layers includes dielectric layer 140 a, dielectric layer 140 b, dielectric layer 140 c, and dielectric layer 140 d. In one example, the dielectric layer 140 a can be in contact with the dielectric layer 120 b, and the dielectric layer 140 b can be in contact with the dielectric layer 120 c. More specifically, a side surface of the dielectric layer 140 a can be in contact with a side surface of the dielectric layer 120 b, and a side surface of the dielectric layer 140 b can be in contact with a side surface of the dielectric layer 120 c.

The semiconductor device 100 also can include conductive interconnects, such as metal vias, metal rods or columns, a combination thereof, or the like. At least one (or, in some embodiments, each) of the conductive interconnects can extend from a surface essentially aligned with the second surface opposite to the first surface 114 up to a defined distance along the z-direction. Without intending to be bound by phenomenology or modeling, a surface essentially aligned with another surface can be a surface that is registered with the other surface within the spatial resolution of a process utilized to form the surface on the semiconductor device 100. In addition, at least one of the conductive interconnects can be assembled between a pair of contact members of the group of contact members included in the semiconductor device 100, and can be in contact with two or more of the dielectric layers in the group of third dielectric layers. Therefore, in some aspects, a dielectric layer (e.g., dielectric layer 120 b) of the group of second dielectric layers and another dielectric layer (e.g., dielectric layer 140 a) of the group of third dielectric layers can form a composite spacer layer that separates a contact member of the group of contact members including contact member 130 a, contact member 130 b, and contact member 130 c from a conductive interconnect included in the semiconductor device 100. For example, the dielectric layer 120 b and the dielectric layer 140 a can form the composite spacer layer having a thickness t′+t′ across the z-direction. The composite layer can separate the contact member 130 a from the conductive interconnect 150 a. For another example, the dielectric layer 120 c and the dielectric layer 140 b can form another composite spacer layer also having a thickness t′+t′ across the z-direction. Such a composite layer can separate the contact member 130 b from the conductive interconnect 150 a. The thickness t′ +t′ can range from about 1.0 nm to about 10.0 nm.

In some aspects, a contact member (e.g., contact member 130 a) and a conductive interconnect (e.g., conductive interconnect 150 a) separated by a composite spacer layer constituted by a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer are capacitively coupled. In one example, the first dielectric layer can be embodied in or can include one dielectric layer (e.g., dielectric layer 120 b) of the group of second dielectric layers. In addition or in another example, the second dielectric layer can be embodied in or can include one dielectric layer (e.g., dielectric layer 140 a) of the group of third dielectric layers. Without intending to be bound by phenomenology or modeling, the presence of the second dielectric layer can reduce the capacitance between the conductive interconnect and contact member by increasing the thickness of dielectric material between the conductive interconnect and the contact member. The capacitance also can be further reduced by forming the second dielectric layer from a dielectric material having a dielectric constant (K) less than another dielectric electric constant (K) of the other dielectric material that forms the first dielectric layer.

The group of contact members included in the semiconductor device 100 also can include a second type of contact members embedded in the semiconductor substrate 110. The second type of contract member can include contact member 160 a and contact member 160 b. At least one (or, in some embodiments, each) contact member of the second type of contact members can be in electrical contact with at least one respective conductive interconnect of the conductive interconnects included in the semiconductor device 100. More specifically, such contact member(s) can form an interface with the respective conductive interconnect(s). As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conductive interconnect 150 a can form an interface with the contact member 160 a, and the conductive interconnect 150 b can form another interface with the contact member 160 b. Accordingly, the conductive interconnect 150 a and the conductive interconnect 150 b can be in electrical contact with the contact member 160 a and the contact member 160 b, respectively.

The semiconductor device 100 also can include carrier-doped epitaxial layers that, in some embodiments, can constitute source regions or drain regions. As illustrated, the semiconductor device 100 can include a carrier-doped epitaxial layer 170 a and a carrier-doped epitaxial layer 170 b.

In common scenarios, the thickness of a first dielectric layer separating a first type of contact member from a conductive interconnect is usually increased in order to reduce capacitance. In sharp contrast, the presence of a second dielectric layer in a composite spacer layer that separates the first type of contact member from the conductive interconnect can permit maintaining the surface real estate of an interface between the conductive interconnect and a second type of conductive member embedded in the semiconductor substrate 110 while, as mentioned, reducing the capacitance between the first type of contact member and the conductive interconnect. Therefore, such a reduction in capacitance can be achieved while maintaining a desirable or otherwise satisfactory contact resistance between the second type of conductive member and the conductive interconnect. More specifically, as an illustration, a composite spacer layer constituted by the dielectric layer 120 b and the dielectric layer 140 a can permit reducing the capacitance between the contact member 130 a and the conductive interconnect 150 a, while maintaining a desirable or otherwise defined contact resistance between the conductive member 150 a and the contact member 160 a. As another illustration, another composite spacer layer constituted by the dielectric layer 120 c and the dielectric layer 140 b can permit reducing the capacitance between the contact member 130 b and the conductive interconnect 150 a, while still maintaining the desirable or otherwise defined contact resistance between the conductive member 150 a and the contact member 160 a.

As yet another illustration, yet another composite spacer layer constituted by the dielectric layer 120 d and the dielectric layer 140 c can permit reducing the capacitance between the contact member 130 b and the conductive interconnect 150 b, while still maintaining another desirable or otherwise defined contact resistance between the conductive member 150 b and the contact member 160 b. As a further illustration, a further composite spacer layer constituted by the dielectric layer 120 e and the dielectric layer 140 d can permit reducing the capacitance between the contact member 130 c and the conductive interconnect 150 b, while still maintaining the other desirable or otherwise defined contact resistance between the conductive member 150 b and the contact member 160 b.

While various elements of the semiconductor device 100 are illustrated as having sharp vertical interfaces that are perpendicular to the surface 114 of the semiconductor substrate 110, the disclosure is not limited in that respect. Some of the elements, including contact members and/or dielectric layers, can have interfaces or sidewalls that, in some embodiments, can form respective angles with the surface 114, another surface opposite to the surface 114, or another planar surface of the semiconductor substrate 110. In addition or in other instances, an element (e.g., a contact member or a dielectric layer) can include a sidewall that can have portions, at respective different positions along the z-direction, that can be form respective angles with the surface 114, another surface opposite to the surface 114, or another planar surface of the semiconductor substrate 110.

In addition, while a particular arrangement of the elements of the semiconductor device 100 is illustrated in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure directed at least to a planar planar FETs, the disclosure is not so limited and, in some embodiments, arrangements of the elements of the semiconductor device 100 or other devices can of this disclosure can embody or can include non-planar FETs, such as FinFETs, tri-gate FETs, dual-gate FETs, or other types of non-planar FETs having contact members (e.g., a source contact member and/or a drain contact member) embodied in one or more nanowires.

FIGS. 2A-2I illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of structures representative of respective stages of an example process for fabricating a semiconductor device in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Specifically, FIG. 2A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a solid structure 200 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. The solid structure 200 includes a semiconductor substrate 204 having a first surface 202 a and a second surface 202 b opposite to the first surface 202 a. The solid structure 200 also includes a group of contact members, including contact member 206 a, contact member 206 b, and contact member 206 c. As mentioned, in some embodiments, each of the contact members in the group of contact member can include or otherwise can be formed from a conductive material, e.g., a metal, a metallic alloy, a doped semiconductor or another type of semiconductor having mobile carriers. The solid structure 200 can further include a group of dielectric layers, each (or, in some embodiments, at least one) of the dielectric layers in such a group can form an interface with a respective one of the contact members in the group of contact members. As illustrated, the group of dielectric layers can include a dielectric layer 205 a, dielectric layer 205 b, and dielectric layer 205 c. The dielectric layer 205 a forms a first interface with the contact member 206 a; the dielectric layer 205 b forms a second interface with the dielectric layer 205 b, and the dielectric layer 205 c forms a third dielectric layer with the dielectric layer 205 c. In some aspects, respective portions of the first interface, the second interface, and the third interface can be substantially planar and substantially parallel to the second surface 202 b.

The solid structure 200 can be treated to form the solid structure 210, as shown in FIG. 2B. Treating the solid structure 200 can include, in some implementations, depositing an amount of a dielectric material of a first type (e.g., a specific compound, such as an oxide, a nitride, etc.) on at least a portion of a surface of solid structure 200. The surface includes exposed portions of the surface 202 b. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, depositing the amount of the dielectric material can result in a conformal dielectric layer 212. In some aspects, deposition of the amount of the dielectric material can be accomplished by one or a combination of numerous deposition processes, including, for example, chemical vapor deposition (CVD); atomic layer deposition (ALD); physical vapor deposition (PVD); sputtering; chemical solution deposition; molecular beam epitaxy (MBE); or the like; or the like. Chemical vapor deposition can include, for example, metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD), or plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD).

As part of the example process, the solid structure 210 can be treated to remove portions of the conformal dielectric layer 212. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, removing such portions can result in a solid structure 220 having first spacer layers, including spacer layer 224 a, spacer layer 224 b, spacer layer 224 c, spacer layer 224 d, spacer layer 224 d, spacer layer 224 e, and spacer layer 224 d, and sections of the surface 202 b exposed. In order to remove the portions of the conformal dielectric layer 212, treating the solid structure 220 can include selectively etching the dielectric material that constitutes the conformal dielectric layer 212. To that end, the etching can include subjecting the conformal layer 212 to a wet etch process or a dry etch process. In some aspects, wet etching relies on a liquid solution for the removal of a material and generally is isotropic. Wet etching can utilize or otherwise rely upon aqueous hydroxide chemistries, including ammonium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, solution of carboxylic acid/nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid, and solutions of citric acid/nitric acid/hydrofluoric acid. In other aspects, dry etching generally refers to etching that does not rely on a solution for the removal of a material, and generally is anisotropic. Dry etching can rely on plasma (e.g., a gas of electrons) or ions. As such, dry etching includes plasma etching and reactive-ion etching (RIE) and its variants, such as deep REI.

Each (or, in some embodiments, at least two) of the spacer layers included in the solid structure 220 can have substantially the same thickness t_(A) (a natural number in units of length). Without intending to be bound by phenomenology or modeling, a first thickness of a first spacer layer (e.g., spacer layer 224 c) and a second thickness of a second spacer layer (e.g., spacer layer 224 d) are substantially the same when difference between the first thickness and the second thickness is within magnitude of systematic variation in thickness introduced by the etch process utilized to form the first spacer layer and the second spacer layer.

As another part of the example process, the solid structure 220 can be treated to form trenches or other types of recesses, resulting in a solid structure 230 as is shown in FIG. 2D. In some scenarios, at least one of the trenches can be embodied in respective V-shaped groove(s). In other scenarios, at least one of the trenches can be embodied in respective U-shaped groove(s). As illustrated in FIG. 2D, two trenches can be formed in the semiconductor substrate 204. A first carrier-doped layer 234 a can define or otherwise bound a first trench of the two trenches, and a second carrier-doped layer 234 b can define or otherwise bound a second trench of the two trenches. In some embodiments, the first carrier-doped layer 234 a and the second carrier-doped layer 234 b can each be embodied in or can include an n-type doped epitaxial layer. In other embodiments, the first carrier-doped layer 234 a and the second carrier-doped layer 234 b can each be embodied in or can include a p-type doped epitaxial layer.

Treating the solid structure 220 can include subjecting the solid structure 220 to one of numerous processes, each including one or more stages. In some embodiments, one such process is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. Specifically, portions of the solid structure 220 can be selectively removed to form recesses in the semiconductor substrate 204 (e.g., a silicon film). Removing such portions can include, in some implementations, selectively etching the semiconductor substrate 204 at exposed portions of the surface 202 b opposite the surface 202 a. Similar to other etchings disclosed herein, etching the semiconductor substrate 204 can include subjecting such exposed portions to one of a wet etch process or a dry etch process. FIG. 3A illustrates an example solid structure 300 resulting from the foregoing treatment of the solid structure 220. A recess 310 a and a recess 310 b can be formed, each having a U shape, for example. Forming the recess 310 a can yield respective undercuts beneath the spacer layer 224 c and the spacer 224. The disclosure is not limited in that respect and, in some embodiments, forming the recess 310 a may not yield an undercut beneath the spacer layer 224 c.

Further, the process can include forming one or more respective carrier-doped epitaxial layers on one or more respective recesses of the recesses formed in the semiconductor substrate 204. Thus, in one aspect, a carrier-doped layer is conformal with the surface of a recess of the one or more respective recesses. Each (or, in some embodiments, at least one) of the carrier-doped layers can be thin, having respective thickness of about one ML to a few MLs (e.g., 2 ML, 3 ML, 4 ML, 5 ML, or the like). In some implementations, forming a carrier-doped epitaxial layer can include subjecting the surface of a recess to CVD of an amount of a semiconductor precursor (e.g., silane, disilane, or trisilane for Si deposition) and a dopant precursor—e.g., N₂ or NH₃, PH₃, or AsH₃ for n-type doping; or B₂H₃, AlCl₃, trimethyl-aluminum or triethyl-aluminum for p-type doping. As such, in one embodiment, phosphorous-doped epitaxial layers can be respectively deposited on the recess 310 a and the recess 310 b, resulting in an n-doped epitaxial layer 360 a and another n-doped epitaxial layer 360 b. In another embodiment, boron-doped epitaxial layers can be respectively deposited on the recess 310 a and the recess 310 b, resulting in a p-doped epitaxial layer 360 a and another n-doped epitaxial layer 360 b.

As mentioned, the solid structure 220 can be subjected to other processes, each including one or more stages, to form carrier-doped epitaxial layers within the semiconductor substrate 204. In some embodiments, another such process is illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4B. The process can include ion implantation. Specifically, respective regions beneath and including the exposed portions of the surface 202 b can be implanted with ions (negative ions for n-type doping and positive ions for p-type doping) in order to form a carrier-doped region within the semiconductor substrate 204. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, a carrier-doped region 410 a can be formed between and, at least partially, underneath the spacer layer 224 b and the spacer layer 224 c. A carrier-doped region 410 b also can be formed between and, at least partially, underneath the spacer layer 224 d and the spacer layer 224 e. The carrier-doped region 410 a and the carrier-doped region 410 b have, respectively, a substantially planar surface 420 a and a substantially planar surface 420 b, both substantially aligned with the surface 202 b.

The process for forming the carrier-doped epitaxial layers also includes removing respective portions of the carrier-doped regions formed by ion implantation within the semiconductor substrate 204. The removal of such portions also results in the formation of a trench of another type of recess. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the process can include removing a portion of carrier-doped region 410 a and another portion of the carrier-doped region 410 b.

To that end, in some implementations, the removing can include selectively etching the carrier-doped region 410 a and the carrier-doped region 410 b for a defined period to achieve a thin carrier-doped epitaxial layer (e.g., a layer having a thickness in a range from about 1 ML to about 5 ML). Therefore, as is shown in FIG. 4B, a carrier-doped epitaxial layer 460 a (e.g., an n-type epitaxial layer or a p-type epitaxial layer) and a carrier-doped epitaxial layer 460 b (e.g., an n-type epitaxial layer or a p-type epitaxial layer) can be formed. As mentioned, a trench 470 a (e.g., a U-shaped groove or a V-shaped groove) and a trench 470 b (e.g., a U-shaped groove or a V-shaped groove) also are formed.

With further reference to the series of FIGS. 2A-2I, in another stage of the example process for fabricating a semiconductor structure in accordance with aspects of this disclosure, two or more of the trenches (or, in some embodiments, other types of recesses) present in the in the solid structure 230 can be filled with a conductive material. To that end, an amount of the conductive material can be deposited on each of the two or more trenches, resulting in the solid structure 240 as shown in FIG. 2E. The conductive material can be embodied in or can include a metal, a metallic alloy, a doped semiconductor, a combination thereof, or the like. As illustrated, in one aspect, the amount of the conductive material deposited on a trench can form a contact member that extends above the surface opposite to the surface 202 a, along the z-direction. Specifically, a contact member 244 a can be formed on a surface of the carrier-doped epitaxial layer 234 a, and a contact member 244 b can be formed on a surface of the carrier-doped epitaxial layer 234 b. While respective exposed surfaces of each of the contact member 244 a and the contact member 244 b are illustrated as planar surfaces for the sake of simplicity, the disclosure is not limited in that respect. Thus, in some embodiments, each of an exposed surface of the contact member 244 a and another exposed surface of the contact member 244 b can be embodied in a curved surface (e.g., a U-shape surface or V-shape surface) or an undulating surface.

As such, in some embodiments, the overburden portion of a conductive member formed on the surface of a trench (or, in some embodiments, in another type of recess) can be treated to form a substantially planar conductive surface aligned with the surface opposite to the surface 202 a. As illustrated in FIG. 2F, treating in such a fashion the respective overburden portions of contact member 244 a and the contact member 244 b can result in the solid structure 250. Specifically, the contact member 244 a can be etched to form a planar interface 256 a. To that end, in some implementations, etching the contact member 244 a can include subjecting the contact member 244 a to one of a wet etch process or a dry etch process. In addition, the contact member 244 b can be etched to form a planar surface 256 b. Similar to the treatment of the contact member 244 a, etching the contact member 244 b can include subjecting the contact member 244 b to one of the wet etch process or the dry etch process.

The solid structure 250 can be treated to form the solid structure 260, as shown in FIG. 2G. Treating the solid structure 250 can include, in some implementations, depositing an amount of a dielectric material of a second type (e.g., a specific compound, such as an oxide, a nitride, etc.) on at least a portion of a surface of the solid structure 250. The surface includes the exposed planar surfaces 256 a and 256 b. As illustrated in FIG. 2G, depositing the amount of the dielectric material of the second type can result in a conformal dielectric layer 264. Similar to the deposition of the dielectric material of the first type, in some aspects, deposition of the amount of the dielectric material of the second type can be accomplished by one or a combination of numerous deposition processes, including, for example, CVD, ALD, PVD, sputtering, chemical solution deposition, MBE, or the like.

Further, as part of the example process, the solid structure 260 can be treated to remove portions of the conformal dielectric layer 264. As illustrated in FIG. 2H, removing such portions can result in a solid structure 270 having the first spacer layers described herein and second spacer layers, including spacer layer 274 a, spacer layer 274 b, spacer layer 274 c, and spacer layer 274 d, and respective sections of the planar interface 258 a and planar interface 258 b exposed. In order to remove the portions of the conformal dielectric layer 264, treating the solid structure 260 can include selectively etching the dielectric material that constitutes the conformal dielectric layer 264. To that end, the etching can include subjecting the conformal dielectric layer 264 to a wet etch process or a dry etch process.

Similar to other spacer layers disclosed herein, each (or, in some embodiments, at least two) of the second spacer layers included in the solid structure 270 can have substantially the same thickness t_(B) (a real number in units of length). As illustrated and disclosed herein, a first spacer layer (e.g., spacer layer 224 c) having thickness t_(A) and a second spacer layer (e.g., spacer layer 274 a) having thickness t_(B) can form a composite spacer layer. The thickness of the composite spacer layer can permit exposing a portion of a planar interface of a contact member embedded in the semiconductor substrate 204.

To complete the fabrication of a semiconductor device in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a stage of the example process can include filling the openings present in the solid structure 270 with a conductive material (such as a metal or a metallic alloy) that can be different from the other conductive material that forms the contact members 254 a and 254 b. To that end, in some implementations, an amount of the conductive material can be deposited on the exposed portions of the planar interfaces 256 a and 256 b to form a conductive interconnect member 284 a and a conductive interconnect member 284 b, as is shown in the solid structure 280 in FIG. 21.

It some embodiments, a recess or trench formation need not be relied upon in order to form of a conductive interconnect member similar to the combination of the member 284 a and member 254 a, or the combination of member 284 b member 254 b. To that end, in one such embodiment, the solid structure illustrated in FIG. 4A can be treated to form a conductive member 510 a and a conductive member 510 b, as is shown in FIG. 5A. Specifically, in some aspects, treating such a solid structure can include depositing an amount of a conductive material (e.g., a metal or a metallic alloy) can be deposited in the exposed surfaces 420 a and 420 b.

Each of the conductive members 510 a and 510 b can be annealed or otherwise subjected to a thermal treatment. Annealing or subjecting the conductive member 510 a and the conductive member 510 b can include heating the conductive members 510 a and 510 b to a defined temperature and maintaining the defined temperature for a defined period. In one example, the defined temperature can be equal to a fraction of a melting temperature of a conductive material the constitutes at least one of the conductive members 510 a and 510 b, and the defined period can be in a range from about 1 minute to about 100 minutes. The annealing or the thermal treatment of the conductive member 510 a and the conductive member 510 b can result in diffusion of atoms or ions from the conductive member 510 a and the conductive member 510 b to the carrier-doped region 410 a and the carrier-doped region 410 b, respectively. In addition, diffusion of other atoms or other ions from the carrier-doped region 410 a and the carrier-doped region 410 b to the conductive member 510 a and the conductive member 510 b, respectively. In some embodiments, such inter-diffusion can yield a metal self-aligned silicide (metal salicide) region 550 a and a metal salicide region 550 b. In addition, the inter-diffusion can yield a carrier-doped layer 560 a and a carrier-doped layer 560 b, as is illustrated in FIG. 5B.

In view of the aspects described herein, numerous other processes can be implemented for providing a semiconductor device in accordance with one or more embodiments of this disclosure. Examples of such processes can be better appreciated with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 6. Each block in the illustrated flowchart can represent a process stage or process operation (e.g., etching or removal of an amount of a material, coating of a structure with another amount of another material, epitaxial growth of carrier-doped layer, and the like). Although a particular order of the blocks within an illustrated flowchart is provided, such an ordering is not limiting and the order two or more of the blocks can be altered without affecting the outcome of the process. For the sake of clarity, well-known elements or aspects of a block in the illustrated flowcharts may not be described in full detail. As with any other processes described herein, in some embodiments, the example method 600 illustrated in FIG. 6 can be implemented in conjunction with other processes.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a method for providing a solid assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. At block 610, a semiconductor film that has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface can be provided. In some embodiments, the semiconductor film can constitute a semiconductor substrate or wafer, such as semiconductor substrate 110. In some aspects, a portion of the second surface (e.g., surface 202 b) can form a first interface with a first dielectric layer (e.g., a gate dielectric layer, such as dielectric layer 125 b) forming a second interface with a first contact member extending from a portion of a surface of the first dielectric layer along a direction perpendicular to the second surface. In one example, the first contact member can embody or can include the contact member 130 b illustrated in FIG. 1.

At block 620, a second dielectric layer can be formed on a second portion of the second surface. In some aspects, the second dielectric layer can form a third interface with the first contact member, where the third interface can be substantially perpendicular to the second surface. At block 630, a carrier-doped epitaxial layer can be formed on a second portion of the second surface. In some embodiments, the carrier-doped epitaxial layer can be assembled as a lining on a first surface of a trench (or another type of recess) in the semiconductor film. In some implementations, as described herein, the carrier-doped epitaxial layer can be embodied in or can include an n-doped epitaxial layer or a p-doped epitaxial layer. At block 640, a second contact member that fills the trench (or the other type of recess) and has a planar surface substantially aligned with the second surface can be formed. In some implementations, the second contact member can extend, along the direction, from a second surface of the carrier-doped epitaxial layer to the planar surface. At block 650, a third dielectric layer on a first portion of the planar surface can be formed. In some embodiments, the third dielectric layer can form a fourth interface with the second dielectric layer. In one embodiment, the second dielectric layer can be embodied in or can include the dielectric layer 120 c, and the third dielectric layer can be embodied in or can include the dielectric layer 140 b. At block 660, a conductive interconnect member can be formed on a second portion of the planar surface. In some aspects, the conductive interconnect member can extend from the planar surface along the direction and can form a fifth interface with the third dielectric layer (e.g., dielectric layer 140 b). In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the conductive interconnect member can be embodied in or can include the conductive interconnect 150 a.

FIG. 7 depicts an example of a system 700 according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure. In one embodiment, system 700 includes, but is not limited to, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a tablet, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a server, a workstation, a cellular telephone, a mobile computing device, a smart phone, an Internet appliance or any other type of computing device. In some embodiments, system 700 can include a system on a chip (SOC) system or a system-in-package (SiP).

In one embodiment, system 700 includes multiple processors including processor 710 and processor N 705, where processor 705 has logic similar or identical to the logic of processor 710. In one embodiment, processor 710 has one or more processing cores (represented here by processing core 712 and processing core 712N, where 712N represents the Nth processor core inside processor 710, where N is a positive integer). More processing cores can be present (but not depicted in the diagram of FIG. 7). In some embodiments, processing core 712 includes, but is not limited to, pre-fetch logic to fetch instructions, decode logic to decode the instructions, execution logic to execute instructions, a combination thereof, or the like. In some embodiments, processor 710 has a cache memory 716 to cache instructions and/or data for system 700. Cache memory 716 may be organized into a hierarchical structure including one or more levels of cache memory.

In some embodiments, processor 710 includes a memory controller (MC) 714, which is configured to perform functions that enable the processor 710 to access and communicate with memory 730 that includes a volatile memory 732 and/or a non-volatile memory 734. In some embodiments, processor 710 can be coupled with memory 730 and chipset 720. Processor 710 may also be coupled to a wireless antenna 778 to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals. In one embodiment, the wireless antenna interface 778 operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 standard and its related family, Home Plug AV (HPAV), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth, WiMax, or any form of wireless communication protocol.

In some embodiments, volatile memory 732 includes, but is not limited to,

Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM), and/or any other type of random access memory device. Non-volatile memory 734 includes, but is not limited to, flash memory, phase change memory (PCM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or any other type of non-volatile memory device.

Memory device 730 stores information and instructions to be executed by processor 710. In one embodiment, memory 730 may also store temporary variables or other intermediate information while processor 710 is executing instructions. In the illustrated embodiment, chipset 720 connects with processor 710 via Point-to-Point (PtP or P-P) interface 717 and P-P interface 722. Chipset 720 enables processor 710 to connect to other elements in system 900. In some embodiments of the disclosure, P-P interface 717 and P-P interface 722 can operate in accordance with a PtP communication protocol, such as the Intel® QuickPath Interconnect (QPI) or the like. In other embodiments, a different interconnect may be used.

In some embodiments, chipset 720 can be configured to communicate with processor 710, 705N, display device 740, and other devices 772, 776, 774, 760, 762, 764, 766, 777, etc. Chipset 720 may also be coupled to the wireless antenna 778 to communicate with any device configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signals.

Chipset 720 connects to display device 740 via interface 726. Display 740 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, cathode ray tube (CRT) display, or any other form of visual display device. In some embodiments of the disclosure, processor 710 and chipset 720 are integrated into a single SOC. In addition, chipset 720 connects to bus 750 and/or bus 755 that interconnect various elements 774, 760, 762, 764, and 766. Bus 750 and bus 755 may be interconnected via a bus bridge 772. In one embodiment, chipset 720 couples with a non-volatile memory 760, a mass storage device(s) 762, a keyboard/mouse 764, and a network interface 766 via interface 724 and/or 704, smart TV 776, consumer electronics 777, etc.

In one embodiment, mass storage device(s) 762 can include, but not be limited to, a solid state drive, a hard disk drive, a universal serial bus flash memory drive, or any other form of computer data storage medium. In one embodiment, network interface 766 is implemented by any type of well-known network interface standard including, but not limited to, an Ethernet interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a Peripheral Component

Interconnect (PCI) Express interface, a wireless interface and/or any other suitable type of interface. In one embodiment, the wireless interface operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, the IEEE 802.11 standard and its related family, Home Plug AV (HPAV), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), Bluetooth, WiMax, or any form of wireless communication protocol.

While the modules shown in FIG. 7 are depicted as separate blocks within the system 900, the functions performed by some of these blocks may be integrated within a single semiconductor circuit or may be implemented using two or more separate integrated circuits. For example, although cache memory 716 is depicted as a separate block within processor 710, cache memory 716 or selected elements thereof can be incorporated into processor core 712.

It is noted that the system 700 described herein may be any suitable type of microelectronics packaging and configurations thereof, including, for example, system in a package (SiP), system on a package (SOP), package on package (PoP), interposer package, 3D stacked package, etc. Further, any suitable type of microelectronic components may be provided in the semiconductor packages, as described herein. For example, microcontrollers, microprocessors, baseband processors, digital signal processors, memory dies, field gate arrays, logic gate dies, passive component dies, MEMSs, surface mount devices, application specific integrated circuits, baseband processors, amplifiers, filters, combinations thereof, or the like may be packaged in the semiconductor packages, as disclosed herein. The semiconductor devices (for example, the semiconductor device described in connection with FIG. 1) or other types of semiconductor devices, as disclosed herein, may be provided in any variety of electronic device including consumer, industrial, military, communications, infrastructural, and/or other electronic devices.

The semiconductor devices or other types of solid-state devices, as described herein, may be embody or may constitute one or more processors. The one or more processors may include, without limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor(s) (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof The processors may also include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or application specific standard products (ASSPs) for handling specific data processing functions or tasks. In certain embodiments, the processors may be based on an Intel® Architecture system and the one or more processors and any chipset included in an electronic device may be from a family of Intel® processors and chipsets, such as the Intel® Atom® processor(s) family or Intel-64 processors (e.g., Sandy Bridge®, Ivy Bridge®, Haswell®, Broadwell®, Skylake®, etc.).

Additionally or alternatively, the semiconductor devices, as described herein, may embody or may constitute one or more memory chips or other types of memory devices. The memory chips may include one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memory devices including, but not limited to, magnetic storage devices, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double data rate (DDR) SDRAM (DDR-SDRAM), RAM-BUS DRAM (RDRAM), flash memory devices, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), universal serial bus (USB) removable memory, or combinations thereof.

In example embodiments, the electronic device in which the semiconductor devices in accordance with this disclosure are provided may be a computing device. Such a computing device may house one or more boards on which the semiconductor package connections may be disposed. The board may include a number of components including, but not limited to, a processor and/or at least one communication chip. The processor may be physically and electrically connected to the board through, for example, electrical connections of the semiconductor package. The computing device may further include a plurality of communication chips. For instance, a first communication chip may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communication chip may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, EV-DO, and others. In various example embodiments, the computing device may be a laptop, a netbook, a notebook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ultra-mobile PC, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a server, a printer, a scanner, a monitor, a set-top box, an entertainment control unit, a digital camera, a portable music player, a digital video recorder, combinations thereof, or the like. In further example embodiments, the computing device may be any other electronic device that processes data.

The semiconductor devices and other types of solid assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure may be used in connection with one or more processors. The one or more processors may include, without limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor(s) (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof The processors may also include one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or application specific standard products (ASSPs) for handling specific data processing functions or tasks. In certain embodiments, the processors may be based on an Intel® Architecture system and the one or more processors and any chipset included in an electronic device may be from a family of Intel® processors and chipsets, such as the Intel® Atom® processor(s) family or Intel-64 processors (for example, Sandy Bridge®, Ivy Bridge®, Haswell®, Broadwell®, Skylake®, etc.).

Additionally or alternatively, semiconductor devices and other types of solid assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure may be used in connection with one or more memory chips. The memory may include one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memory devices including, but not limited to, magnetic storage devices, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double data rate (DDR) SDRAM (DDR-SDRAM), RAM-BUS DRAM (RDRAM), flash memory devices, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), universal serial bus (USB) removable memory, or combinations thereof.

In example embodiments, an electronic device in which the semiconductor devices and other types of solid assemblies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure can be used and/or provided may be a computing device. Such a computing device may house one or more boards on which the interconnects may be disposed. The board may include a number of components including, but not limited to, a processor and/or at least one communication chip. The processor may be physically and electrically connected to the board through, for example, electrical connections of the interconnects. The computing device may further include a plurality of communication chips. For instance, a first communication chip may be dedicated to shorter range wireless communications such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a second communication chip may be dedicated to longer range wireless communications such as GPS, EDGE, GPRS, CDMA, WiMAX, LTE, EV-DO, and others. In various example embodiments, the computing device may be a laptop, a netbook, a notebook, an ultrabook, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), an ultra-mobile PC, a mobile phone, a desktop computer, a server, a printer, a scanner, a monitor, a set-top box, an entertainment control unit, a digital camera, a portable music player, a digital video recorder, combinations thereof, or the like. In further example embodiments, the computing device may be any other electronic device that processes data.

Further Examples.—The following example embodiments pertain to further embodiments of this disclosure. Example 1 is a solid assembly, comprising: a semiconductor film having a surface; a first contact member assembled adjacent to a portion of the surface, the first contact member forming a first planar interface with a first dielectric layer in contact with the portion of the surface; a second dielectric layer assembled adjacently to the first contact member, the second dielectric layer forming a second planar interface with the first contact member, the second planar interface being substantially perpendicular to the first planar interface; a third dielectric layer assembled adjacently to the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer forming a third planar interface with the second dielectric layer, the third planar interface being substantially parallel to the second planar interface; a conductive interconnect assembled adjacently to the third dielectric layer, the conductive interconnect forming a fourth planar interface with the second dielectric layer, the fourth interface extending along the second direction; a second contact member embedded in the semiconductor film, the second contact member forming a fifth planar interface with the conductive interconnect, the planar interface registered with the surface; and a carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the second contact member. In example 2, the solid assembly of example 1 can optionally include the second dielectric layer comprising at least one of a silicon oxide or a high-k dielectric, and the third dielectric layer comprising a low-k material. In example 3, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-2 can optionally include the third dielectric layer comprising at least one of silicon dioxide or a low-k material. In example 4, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-2 can optionally include the third dielectric layer comprising an air gap. In example 5, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-4 can optionally include the second dielectric layer having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm. In example 6, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-5 can optionally include the third dielectric layer having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm. In example 7, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-4 can optionally include the second dielectric layer having a first thickness and the third dielectric layer having a second thickness, and the first thickness and the second thickness amounting to a total thickness in a range from about 1.0 nm to about 10.0 nm. In example 8, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-7 can optionally include the conductive interconnect comprising copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals. In example 9, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-8 can optionally include the first contact member comprising copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals. In example 10, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-9 can optionally include the second contact member comprising copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals. In example 11, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-10 can optionally include carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprising one of an n-type epitaxial layer or a p-type epitaxial layer. In example 12, the solid assembly of any one of examples 1-11 can optionally include the semiconductor film comprising silicon, germanium, an alloy of silicon and germanium, a III-V semiconductor compound, or a II-VI semiconductor compound, phosphorous and silicon, or boron and silicon. In example 13, the solid assembly of example 11 can optionally include the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprising one of a P-doped epitaxial layer, an As-doped epitaxial layer, a N-doped epitaxial layer; a B-doped epitaxial layer, or an Al-doped epitaxial layer.

Further, Example 14 is a method for a solid assembly, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate that has a surface, a portion of the surface forming a first interface with a first dielectric layer forming a second interface with a first contact member; forming a second dielectric layer of a first thickness on a second portion of the surface, the second dielectric layer forming a third interface with the first contact member; forming a carrier-doped epitaxial layer within the semiconductor substrate; the carrier-doped epitaxial layer assembled as a lining on a surface of a trench in the semiconductor substrate; forming a second contact member that fills the trench and has a planar surface substantially aligned with the surface, the second contact member extending from a surface of the carrier-doped epitaxial layer to the planar surface, along a direction perpendicular to the surface; forming a third dielectric layer of a second thickness on a first portion of the planar surface, the third dielectric layer forming a fourth interface with the second dielectric layer; and forming a conductive interconnect member on a second portion of the planar surface, the conductive interconnect member extending from the planar surface along the direction and forming a fifth interface with the third dielectric layer. In example 15, the method of example 14 can optionally include forming the second dielectric layer comprising depositing a conformal layer of a high-k dielectric material on the first contact member and the second portion of the surface, the conformal layer having the first thickness, and removing a portion of the conformal layer. In example 16, the method of any one of examples 14-15 can optionally include forming the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprising etching the semiconductor substrate to form the trench, and depositing one of an n-type epitaxial layer or a p-type epitaxial layer by means of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In example 17, the method of any one of examples 14-16 can optionally include forming the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprising forming one of a p-type region by subjecting a third portion of the surface to ion implantation, the formed p-type region embedded in the semiconductor substrate and having a planar surface adjacent to the second portion of the surface, and etching a portion of the formed p-type region, resulting in a p-type epitaxial layer. In example 18, the method of any one of examples 14-17 can optionally include forming the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprising forming one of an n-type region by subjecting a third portion of the surface to ion implantation, the formed n-type region embedded in the semiconductor substrate and having a planar surface adjacent to the second portion of the surface, and etching a portion of the formed n-type region, resulting in an n-type epitaxial layer. In example 19, the method of any one of examples 14-18 can optionally include forming the second contact member comprising depositing an amount of a conductive material that fills the trench and yields an overburden layer above the surface, and planarizing the overburden layer to form the planar surface substantially aligned with the surface. In example 20, the method of any one of examples 14-19 can optionally include forming the third dielectric layer comprising depositing a conformal layer of a low-k dielectric material on the first contact member, the second dielectric layer, and the planar surface substantially aligned with the surface, the conformal layer having the second thickness, and removing a portion of the conformal layer, exposing the second portion of the planar surface. In example 21, the method of example 20 can optionally include forming the conductive interconnect member comprising depositing an amount of a conductive material on the second portion of the planar surface.

Example 22 is a method for a solid assembly, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate that has a first surface and surface opposite to the first surface, a portion of the surface forming a first interface with a first dielectric layer forming a second interface with a first contact member; forming a second dielectric layer of a first thickness on a second portion of the surface, the second dielectric layer forming a third interface with the first contact member; forming a carrier-doped member within the semiconductor substrate, the carrier-doped member has a planar surface substantially aligned with the surface; forming a third dielectric layer of a second thickness on a first portion of the planar surface, the third dielectric layer forming a fourth interface with the second dielectric layer; and forming a conductive interconnect member on a second portion of the planar surface, the conductive interconnect member extending from the planar surface along the direction and forming a fifth interface with the third dielectric layer. In example 23, the method of example 22 can optionally include annealing the conductive interconnect member to modify the carrier-doped member into a carrier-doped epitaxial layer and a second contact member having an inter-diffused interface with the carrier-doped epitaxial layer. In example 24, the method of any one of examples 22-23 can optionally include forming the carrier-doped member comprising forming one of an n-type doped member comprising silicon or a p-type doped member comprising silicon, and the second contact member comprising a metal self-aligned silicide along the direction.

Further, Example 25 is a solid-state device, comprising: a semiconductor film having a surface; a gate contact assembled adjacent to a portion of the surface, the gate contact forming a first interface with a first dielectric layer in contact with the portion of the surface; a second dielectric layer assembled adjacent to the gate contact, the second dielectric layer forming a second interface with the gate contact; a third dielectric layer assembled adjacent to the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer forming a third interface with the second dielectric layer, the third interface being substantially parallel to the second interface; a conductive interconnect assembled adjacent to the third dielectric layer, the conductive interconnect forming a fourth interface with the third dielectric layer; a first contact embedded in the semiconductor film and assembled adjacent to the gate contact, the first contact forming a fifth interface with the conductive interconnect; a first carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the first contact; a second contact embedded in the semiconductor film and assembled adjacent to the gate contact; and a second carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the second contact. In example 26, the device of example 25 can optionally include the second dielectric layer comprising at least one of a silicon oxide or a high-k dielectric, and the third dielectric layer comprising a low-k material. In example 27, the device of any one of examples 25-26 can optionally include the third dielectric layer comprising at least one of silicon dioxide or a low-k material. In example 28, the device of any one of examples 25-27 can optionally include the second dielectric layer having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm. In example 29, the device of any one of examples 25-28 can optionally include the third dielectric layer having a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm. In example 30, the device of any one of examples 25-27 can optionally include the second dielectric layer having a first thickness and the third dielectric layer having a second thickness, and the first thickness and the second thickness amounting to a total thickness in a range from about 1.0 nm to about 10.0 nm. In example 31, the device of any one of examples 25-30 can optionally include the conductive interconnect comprising copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals. In example 32, the device of any one of examples 25-31 can optionally include the first contact comprising copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals. In example 33, the device of any one of examples 25-32 can optionally include the second contact comprising copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals. In example 34, the device of any one of examples 25-33 can optionally include the first carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprising one of an n-type epitaxial layer or a p-type epitaxial layer. In example 35, the device of any one of examples 25-34 can optionally include the semiconductor film comprising silicon, germanium, an alloy of silicon and germanium, a III-V semiconductor compound, or a II-VI semiconductor compound, phosphorous and silicon, or boron and silicon. In example 36, the device of example 34 can optionally include the first carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprising one of a P-doped epitaxial layer, an As-doped epitaxial layer, a N-doped epitaxial layer; a B-doped epitaxial layer, or an Al-doped epitaxial layer.

Further, Example 37 is an electronic device, comprising: at least one semiconductor die having circuitry assembled therein, the circuitry comprising a plurality of transistors, at least one of the plurality of transistor comprising, a gate contact; a first composite spacer layer adjacent the gate contact, the first composite layer comprising a first dielectric layer and a second dielectric layer substantially parallel to the first dielectric layer; a first conductive interconnect assembled adjacent the second dielectric layer; a source contact assembled adjacent to the first composite spacer layer and forming a first interface with the first conductive interconnect; a first carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the source contact; a second composite spacer layer adjacent the gate contact, the second composite spacer layer comprising a third dielectric layer and a fourth dielectric layer substantially parallel the third dielectric layer; a second conductive interconnect assembled adjacent the fourth dielectric layer; a drain contact assembled adjacent to the second composite spacer layer and forming a second interface with the second conductive interconnect; and a second carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the drain contact. In example 38, the device of example 37 can optionally include the first dielectric layer comprising at least one of a silicon oxide or a high-k dielectric, and the second dielectric layer comprising at least one of silicon dioxide or a low-k material. In example 39, the device of any one of examples 37-38 can optionally include the third dielectric layer comprising at least one of a silicon oxide or a high-k dielectric, and the fourth dielectric layer comprising at least one of silicon dioxide or a low-k material. In example 40, the device of any one of examples 37-38 can optionally include the first dielectric layer having a first thickness in a first range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm, and the second dielectric layer having a second thickness in a second range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm. In example 41, the device of any one of examples 37, 38 or 40 can optionally include the third dielectric layer having a first thickness in a first range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm, the fourth dielectric layer having a second thickness in a second range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm.

As mentioned, unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any protocol, procedure, process, or method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its acts or steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a process or method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its acts or steps or it is not otherwise specifically recited in the claims or descriptions of the subject disclosure that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification or annexed drawings, or the like.

Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain implementations could include, while other implementations do not include, certain features, elements, and/or operations. Thus, such conditional language generally is not intended to imply that features, elements, and/or operations are in any way required for one or more implementations or that one or more implementations necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or operations are included or are to be performed in any particular implementation.

As used herein, the term “substantially” indicates that each of the described dimensions is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. Unless context or the description indicates otherwise, the use of the term “substantially” in connection with a numerical parameter indicates that the numerical parameter includes variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

Further, certain relationships between dimensions of layers of a semiconductor device in accordance with this disclosure and between other elements of the semiconductor device are described herein using the term “substantially equal.” As used herein, the term “substantially equal” indicates that the equal relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. Unless context or the description indicates otherwise, the use of the term “substantially equal” in connection with two or more described dimensions indicates that the equal relationship between the dimensions includes variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit of the dimensions. As used herein, the term “substantially constant” indicates that the constant relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom.

As used herein, the term “substantially parallel” indicates that the parallel relationship is not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom. As used herein the term “substantially perpendicular” indicates that the perpendicular relationship between two or more elements of a semiconductor device in accordance with this disclosure are not a strict relationship and does not exclude functionally similar variations therefrom.

The term “horizontal” as used herein may be defined as a direction parallel to a plane or surface (e.g., surface of a substrate), regardless of its orientation. The term “vertical,” as used herein, may refer to a direction orthogonal to the horizontal direction as just described. Terms, such as “on,” “above,” “below,” “bottom,” “top,” “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher,” “lower,” “upper,” “over,” and “under,” may be referenced with respect to the horizontal plane. The term “processing” as used herein is generally intended to include deposition of material or photoresist, patterning, exposure, development, etching, cleaning, ablating, polishing, and/or removal of the material or photoresist as required in forming a described structure.

What has been described herein in the present specification and annexed drawings includes examples of semiconductor devices having composite spacer layers and techniques for providing such devices. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of elements and/or methodologies for purposes of describing the various features of the disclosure, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, it may be apparent that various modifications can be made to the disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. In addition or in the alternative, other embodiments of the disclosure may be apparent from consideration of the specification and annexed drawings, and practice of the disclosure as presented herein. It is intended that the examples put forward in the specification and annexed drawings be considered, in all respects, as illustrative and not restrictive. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. A solid assembly, comprising: a semiconductor film having a surface; a first contact member assembled adjacent to a portion of the surface, the first contact member forming a first planar interface with a first dielectric layer in contact with the portion of the surface; a second dielectric layer assembled adjacently to the first contact member, the second dielectric layer forming a second planar interface with the first contact member, the second planar interface being substantially perpendicular to the first planar interface; a third dielectric layer assembled adjacently to the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer forming a third planar interface with the second dielectric layer, the third planar interface being substantially parallel to the second planar interface; a conductive interconnect assembled adjacently to the third dielectric layer, the conductive interconnect forming a fourth planar interface with the third dielectric layer, the fourth interface extending along the second direction; a second contact member embedded in the semiconductor film, the second contact member forming a fifth planar interface with the conductive interconnect, the planar interface registered with the surface; and a carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the second contact member.
 2. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the second dielectric layer comprises at least one of a silicon oxide or a high-k dielectric, and wherein the third dielectric layer comprises a low-k material.
 3. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the third dielectric layer comprises at least one of silicon dioxide or a low-k material.
 4. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the third dielectric layer comprises an air gap.
 5. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the second dielectric layer has a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm.
 6. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the third dielectric layer has a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm.
 7. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the second dielectric layer has a first thickness and the third dielectric layer has a second thickness, and wherein the first thickness and the second thickness amount to a total thickness in a range from about 1.0 nm to about 10.0 nm.
 8. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the conductive interconnect comprises copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals.
 9. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the first contact member comprises copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals.
 10. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the second contact member comprises copper, aluminum, tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, palladium, platinum, zinc, nickel, or an alloy of two or more of the foregoing metals.
 11. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprises one of an n-type epitaxial layer or a p-type epitaxial layer.
 12. The solid assembly of claim 1, wherein the semiconductor film comprises silicon, germanium, an alloy of silicon and germanium, a III-V semiconductor compound, or a II-VI semiconductor compound, phosphorous and silicon, or boron and silicon.
 13. The solid assembly of claim 11, wherein the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprises one of a P-doped epitaxial layer, an As-doped epitaxial layer, a N-doped epitaxial layer; a B-doped epitaxial layer, or an Al-doped epitaxial layer.
 14. A method for a solid assembly, comprising: providing a semiconductor substrate that has a surface, a portion of the surface forming a first interface with a first dielectric layer forming a second interface with a first contact member; forming a second dielectric layer of a first thickness on a second portion of the surface, the second dielectric layer forming a third interface with the first contact member; forming a carrier-doped epitaxial layer within the semiconductor substrate; the carrier-doped epitaxial layer assembled as a lining on a surface of a trench in the semiconductor substrate; forming a second contact member that fills the trench and has a planar surface substantially aligned with the surface, the second contact member extending from a surface of the carrier-doped epitaxial layer to the planar surface, along a direction perpendicular to the surface; forming a third dielectric layer of a second thickness on a first portion of the planar surface, the third dielectric layer forming a fourth interface with the second dielectric layer; and forming a conductive interconnect member on a second portion of the planar surface, the conductive interconnect member extending from the planar surface along the direction and forming a fifth interface with the third dielectric layer.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the second dielectric layer comprises depositing a conformal layer of a high-k dielectric material on the first contact member and the second portion of the surface, the conformal layer having the first thickness, and removing a portion of the conformal layer.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprises etching the semiconductor substrate to form the trench, and depositing one of an n-type epitaxial layer or a p-type epitaxial layer by means of chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprises forming one of a p-type region by subjecting a third portion of the surface to ion implantation, the formed p-type region embedded in the semiconductor substrate and having a planar surface adjacent to the second portion of the surface, and etching a portion of the formed p-type region, resulting in a p-type epitaxial layer.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the carrier-doped epitaxial layer comprises forming one of an n-type region by subjecting a third portion of the surface to ion implantation, the formed n-type region embedded in the semiconductor substrate and having a planar surface adjacent to the second portion of the surface, and etching a portion of the formed n-type region, resulting in an n-type epitaxial layer.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the second contact member comprises depositing an amount of a conductive material that fills the trench and yields an overburden layer above the surface, and planarizing the overburden layer to form the planar surface substantially aligned with the surface.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the forming the third dielectric layer comprises depositing a conformal layer of a low-k dielectric material on the first contact member, the second dielectric layer, and the planar surface substantially aligned with the surface, the conformal layer having the second thickness, and removing a portion of the conformal layer, exposing the second portion of the planar surface.
 21. A solid-state device, comprising: a semiconductor film having a surface; a gate contact assembled adjacent to a portion of the surface, the gate contact forming a first interface with a first dielectric layer in contact with the portion of the surface; a second dielectric layer assembled adjacent to the gate contact, the second dielectric layer forming a second interface with the gate contact; a third dielectric layer assembled adjacent to the second dielectric layer, the third dielectric layer forming a third interface with the second dielectric layer, the third interface being substantially parallel to the second interface; a conductive interconnect assembled adjacent to the third dielectric layer, the conductive interconnect forming a fourth interface with the third dielectric layer; a first contact embedded in the semiconductor film and assembled adjacent to the gate contact, the first contact forming a fifth interface with the conductive interconnect; a first carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the first contact; a second contact embedded in the semiconductor film and assembled adjacent to the gate contact; and a second carrier-doped epitaxial layer forming a non-planar interface with the second contact.
 22. The solid-state device of claim 21, wherein the second dielectric layer comprises at least one of a silicon oxide or a high-k dielectric, and wherein the third dielectric layer comprises a low-k material.
 23. The solid-state device of claim 21, wherein the third dielectric layer comprises at least one of silicon dioxide or a low-k material.
 24. The solid-state device of claim 21, wherein the second dielectric layer has a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm.
 25. The solid-state device of claim 21, wherein the third dielectric layer has a thickness in a range from about 0.5 nm to about 10.0 nm. 